In search of a Sunday morning activity, I decided to make paper dolls with my daughter. My idea was to cut out the dolls and use some printed paper for simple dresses. I imagined our dialogue would be about the colors and patterns of the dresses as Georgia is a little “fashionista” these days. How frivolous am I? Fashion? Colors? Please. My little girl wanted to talk about the paper doll’s emotions.
Just as I was about to ask which doll would like to wear the purple dress, she asked me. “Why don’t they have faces, Mommy?” To which I responded, “Why don’t you draw their faces then.” And since she just turned three last week and had only recently started drawing circles, I wasn’t expecting much. Then I saw her draw the eyes, the nose, the mouth….and the tears. “She’s sad.” said Georgia. And then I got nervous thinking about those exercises child psychologists use to understand a child’s emotions. (Mommy guilt about working too much last week.) And then she continued with the other faces. Next up: Happy (ufa! whew! relief!). Followed by: mad, sleepy, and scared.
And I might be a proud mommy (mamãe coruja), but I can see the expressions clearly.
And I am pretty impressed.
